Sikhs in Srinagar protest ban on film 'Sadda Haq'

Members of Sikh community here on Monday held peaceful protests against the ban on the Punjabi film 'Sadda Haq', terming the Punjab government's move as "violation of freedom of expression".

Dozens of members of the community protested near press colony here against the ban and demanded that it be removed immediately.

"We request the government to remove the ban on the movie Sadda Haq, so it does not hurt the sentiments of Sikhs," a protester, Sukhbir Singh, told reporters.

The movie is based on events in Punjab during 1980-90s and allegedly depicts police torture and other "inhuman" practices that were reported during that period.

The Chandigarh administration, Punjab and Haryana governments banned the film on April 4, a day before its scheduled release.

The protesters accused the Centre and Punjab government of having double-standards saying that despite protests by the community against a film "Jo Bole So Nihaal", the movie was released.

"Sikhs opposed the movie Jo Bole So Nihaal as it was against the tenets of Sikh faith, but it still was released in spite of the strong protests by Sikhs. Is it not double-standard?," Singh questioned.

"It is our democratic right to bring reality before the public and we request the government to remove the ban immediately," he said.